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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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November
2006
Volume 11 -
Number 2 |
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How was the Superdome repaired so quickly after
being damaged by hurricane Katrina.
By Fernanda Sosa During Hurricane Katrina in the last days of August
2005, the Superdome, home of the Saints Football team, was extensively damaged.
The wind blew 70% of the roof away and water did the rest. After the hurricane
past, the Superdome was used as a shelter for at least 25,000 who remained
there for days. This brought even more damage done to what was left of the
superdome facilities.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=21539406&site=ehost-liveThe damages included: 100% of the carpet, 50% of the dry wall and 30% of the ceiling. Also, most of the furniture, 50% of the food area, 35% of the seats, the football turf and the main scoreboards. On November 10th 2005, a team was chosen to lead the restoration of the Superdome and bring it back in to operation. It was decided to restore the Superdome and not tear it down for two reasons. First, infrastructure damages were less than 50%, so according to FEMA it could be rebuilt. Second, the replacement of the Superdome was estimated in $650 -$700 million, and a reconstruction time of 24 to 36 months. To be able to have reopen as soon as possible, for the economy’s sake, it was preferred to use the cheaper and faster option: restore, and do it as fast as possible, because it represents a big asset to the state’s economy attracting sport fans and tourist for conventions organized there. A three-phase restoration project was made in order to complete the task. The project went as follows: Remediation and recovery would be done between October 2005 and March 2006. The construction process was divided in to two phases, the first one to have it “football ready” that would happen between March and September 2006 and the second one to complete the rest, that went until August 2007. The estimated cost was close to 184.5 million dollars. As early as January, it was already announced that The Saints would play a regular eight game seasons in their Superdome. To be able to achieve this timelines and goals, through out the whole summer 850 people worked there every day. The cost was covered 90% by FEMA, the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District generated 40 million dollars to include in the project and at the end, the NFL gave a $15 million grant. The restoration included renovation and upgrades of infrastructure and inside decoration, the scoreboards were said to be a pretty special treat for the fans. The concession stands were modernized, the seats were replaced and for the period September 2006 – August 2007, still four club lounges (each of 19,000 square feet) and 137 suites will be remodeled and refurbished. The recovered stadium is now known as a symbol for a new beginning. "If they can get the dome ready this fast, it should inspire folks to come back and build their homes and open their businesses," said Joe Horn, a player for The Saints, "…and for a lot of people who will be there, it will exorcise the demons of what they endured inside the dome during Katrina." For more information search on the web this articles: 1. Paulison, R. David. 2006. FEMA'S RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA. USA: Fire Engineering; May2006, Vol. 159 Issue 5, p213-218 Link: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=21043702&site=ehost-live 2. Attner, Paul. 2006. They're HOME. There's HOPE. USA: Sporting News; 9/29/2006, Vol. 230 Issue 39, p10-12, 3p. Link: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=22483507&site=ehost-live 3. Importance of hope remains for New Orleans. USA Today; 10/04/2006 Link: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=J0E205770029206&site=ehost-live 4. Jenkins, Lee. New Orleans Hopes to Make Superdome A Home Again. New York Times; 9/25/2006, Vol. 156 Issue 53713, pD1-D5. Link: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=22448523&site=ehost-live 5. Boeck, Scott. Superdome up, running again. USA Today; 09/21/2006. Link: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=J0E115192975606&site=ehost-live 6. Powers, E. Michael. Strom-Battered Superdome Gets New Roof in a Big Hurry. Engineering News-Record; 6/19/2006, Vol. 256 Issue 24, p16-17 Link: |